Lots of summer activities available for kids

Summer programs in Walton area offer up fun for the kids

Local area clubs, camps and recreation facilities are offering summer programs for children. Below is a list of organizations and programs available this summer in the Walton County area. Several activities in Destin are listed below as well.

In addition, the United Way’s 2009 Children’s Summer Fun Guidebook offers a complete listing from Okaloosa to Walton for children ages 4 – 18. For more information, or to download the complete area guide go to: www.united-way.org and look on the front page under 2009 Summer Fun Guidebook.

Walton County area

Walton County Extension Office – Summer Fun 4 Kids Program
Kids in the Kitchen
Time: 9:00 a.m. -2:30 p.m.
Children will learn basic nutrition, meal planning, kitchen and food safety, etiquette and basic cooking skills. During a field trip to a local grocery store, children will learn about smart food shopping. Children will prepare a meal on the final day for special adult guests. Bring a sack lunch.
Limit: 10 children. Ages 12 and up ONLY
June 10-12 Extension Office, DeFuniak Springs
(June 10th starts at 12:30 p.m.)
June 16-18 Flowersview Community Center
June 23-25 Emerald Coast Middle SchoolOutdoor Adventures Time
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
June 8 -10 Walton Plantation
(June 10th ends at 11:30 a.m.)
Learn skills from the outdoors. This hands-on program will introduce you to nature. Learn skills from fishing to trail-blazing. Limited seating for transporting kids from the De-Funiak Office. Ages 10 and up. Limit: 20 children. Bring sack lunch. Last day ends at 11:30.Robotics: Alien Adventure
Time: 8:30 – 3 p.m.
June 29-July 2 Extension Office, DeFuniak Springs
July 21-23 Emerald Coast Middle School
You have crash landed on a strange planet. Get ready to build a RoboRover and complete the exploration challenges using LEGO Mindstorms RCX robots. Prizes and awards. Limit: 12 children. Bring sack lunch.Money Adventures Time: 9-2:30
Children will learn money management skills including bank accounts and how they work, balancing accounts, budgeting and saving money, and consumer skills. Through field trips, hands-on activities, and a simulation experience, children will learn how to make wise money choices. Field trips will include visiting a bank and car dealership. Limit: 12 children. Bring a sack lunch, except last day. Ages 12 and up ONLY
July 7-9 Flowersview Community Center
July 14-16 Extension Office, DeFuniak
July 22-24 Emerald Coast Middle School
(July 22nd starts at 12:30)Coastal Encounters
Time 9:00-2:00
July 20-22 Grayton Beach State Park
Take an adventure to the beach exploring the sand, dunes and a coastal dune lake. Children will learn about plants, animals and marine life through hands-on activi-ties, games and hikes. Ages 10 and up. Bring sack lunch. Last day ends at 11:30. Limit: 20 children.
(July 22nd ends at 11:30 a.m.)
Completed participation form and non-refundable payment is required to reserve your child’s spot a week prior to start of class. First time participants given priority. Registration begins May 1.
Fee for most classes: $20/child. Robotics camp is $35. Discounted fee for multiple camps or for families with multiple children, except cooking class. Scholarships may be available.
Check Payable to: Walton County 4H Foundation Club
Mail to:
UF/IFAS Walton County Extension
732 N. 9th Street
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
For more information: (850) 892-8172
http://walton.ifas.ufl.edu

South Walton Boys & Girls Club
Location: 427 Greenway Trail, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(behind the South Walton Library)
Ages: Elementary school aged children
Start Date: June 8 – August 21
Registration Fee: $25 per child / yearly
Deposit of $75 per child / upon sign up
Deposit is put towards the weekly fees for July 24 – Aug. 7
Cost: Summer Sunrise Program is $10 per week / $5 for each additional child
Summer Day Program is $25/week per child
Hours: 6:30 a.m – 8:30 a.m. (Summer Sunrise Program)
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Summer Day Program)
Bring: a lunch, water bottle and sunscreen.
Come and join us for our summer, which will include programs such as Kids and Company, Drama Matters, Goals for Growth and First Aid Skills. Field trips are held throughout the summer, which includes bowling, the zoo, and miniature golf.
For more information call Stephanie at 622-0602

Boys & Girls Club of DeFuniak Springs
Location: 435 N. Ninth Street, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
(Our site is in the Old Armory Bldg.)
Ages: 11-18 (middle and high school aged teens)
Start Date: June 8th – August 7th
Registration Fee: $25 per child / yearly
Deposit of $75 per child (or 3 weeks at their rate) / upon sign up
Deposit is put towards the weekly fees for July 24 – Aug. 7
Cost: Summer Sunrise Program is $10 per week / $5 for each additional child
Summer Day Program is $25/week per child
Teens 13 & up Program Fess is $10 per week per child
Hours: 6:30am – 9:00am (Summer Sunrise Program)
9:00am – 6:00pm (Summer Day Program)
Bring: a water bottle and sunscreen.
The summer program features the Boys & Girls Clubs 5 Core programming areas: character & leadership development, education & career development, health & life skills, the arts and sports, fitness & recreation. A cold lunch is provided daily. Field trips are held throughout the summer. Bi-weekly Saturday hours from noon to 4 pm for open court basketball will be available.
For more information call Bobbie at 892-3752.

Walton County YMCA
137 Highway 20 West, Freeport
850-835-1223
Email: [email protected]
Swimming lessons will be offered at the Freeport Municipal pool adjacent to the City Hall starting in June. The pool opens May 23. 24, 25, then for the summer season June 6.
Swimming classes are offered June 15 -26
Mini Me basketball for ages 2 -4, registration ends June 6 with start up July 11.
Payment and a completed registration is required prior to your first lesson. Class registration is based on a first come basis.
Session Rate: $48.00
• Financial Assistance is available
• A minimum of three (3) participants is required in order for a class to be conducted.
• Registration for each session will end the day prior to the start of class.

Class SessionsRates & Swim Passes
Swim entry per person – $1.00 •
Youth (under 18) season pass – $50.00
Senior (60 & older) season pass – $50.00
Adult (18 & older) season pass – $70.00
Family (up to 4 members) season pass – $110.00 additional family members –$15.00
Progressive Swim Lessons:
Polliwog (School age, no prior lessons)- Students are taught floating, safety in and around bodies of water and a beginner stroke. Floatation devices may be used. Children will learn to swim 10 yards without a floatation device, and introduced to elem. back stroke and rhythmic breathing.
Guppy (School age, beginner Children learn to swim 25 yards of front stroke, back stroke and elementary back without a floatation device and rhythmic breathing. They will be introduced to gliding and streamlining.
Minnow (School age, intermediate) Must be able to swim 40 yards on front without a floatation device. Instructors focus on stroke refinement of back stroke, breast stroke and side stroke as well as endurance. Egg-beater, butterfly kick and standing dives are introduced.
Fish/Flying Fish (School age, advanced)- Must be able to swim 50 yards front crawl and 50 yards back crawl. Instructors will focus on refining the elementary back stroke, breast stroke, back stroke, butterfly stroke, rhythmic breathing, flip turns and survival techniques.
Skipper Swim Lessons:
Parent/Child (6-36 mo.) – An interactive class between parent, child and instructor. Pool safety, water entry and exit, breath control, buoyancy, body positioning and arm/leg patterns will be taught.
Pike/Eel (Preschool)- A child under the age 5 who has never taken swimming lessons should begin as a Pike/Eel. Group adjustment and independent swimming skills are developed. Floatation devices are used during part of the class. Children will learn how to float on their front/back, arm/leg patterns, pool safety and water entry and exit.
Ray/Starfish (Preschool up to age 5)- Children will learn pool rules and water safety, sitting dives, front and back paddle 15 yards without help, front and back float, reaching assists, and how to get out of the pool without assistance.

Play both leagues!!, Fun, relaxed environment, if you miss a game because of vacation, don’t worry about it!! Come back next week!!

**Prizes for different things will be awarded each week(will be odd things like: first one at park, act of sportsmanship, best play of night, etc.)
NO PRACTICES REQUIRED, JUST PLAY!!
Sign up information:
For more information and sign up form go to:
www.freeportsportscomplex.com

Fax form to 850-835-3137 Attn: Parks Director or stop by City Hall in Freeport
Send email with all info to: [email protected]
Call parks director, Shane Supple at 850-401-4057, for more information

Sand Sculpting with Sand Odyssey
Location: Seaside on Scenic 30A
June 11th, 18th, 25th
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Seaside offers free sand sculpting lessons by sand master Mark Flynn from Sand Odyssey. Learn new & exciting techniques on how to use tools to construct a sculpture that will wow your friends and family. Pick up your wristband from Seaside Beach before the event, as space is limited.

Sand Castle Building lessons at Alys Beach
Every Wednesday from June – July
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Join local master sand sculptor Mark Flynn on the beach and learn how to build towers, walls and arches like a pro.

Camp Rosemary / Camp R-Encore – Rosemary Beach
May 25th – August 14th
These sessions are designed for children ages 5 – 12.
All Camps & Crafts are Monday – Friday
Camp Rosemary • $45 per child
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Children will be entertained with a variety of themes throughout the week. Each day will include arts and crafts, silly sport games, swimming and beach expeditions (Lunch not included)
Camp R-Encore • $15 per child – 12:00 p.m.- 2:00 p.m.
This program is an extension of the morning program and includes lunch, with a lot more fun planned for the afternoon!

Crazy Crafts • $5-$20 per child -2:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Each day a fun and unique craft project will be offered to all age groups!

Kids’ Night Out • $45 – Wednesdays and Fridays – 6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
A multitude of beach activities, pool games and crafts will be offered to keep children ages 5 – 12 occupied. This will include dinner, a themed craft and an exciting excursion!
The camp program does have limited space, so please be sure to book at least 24 hours in advance. Please include the name on the reservation, your contact information and the names and ages of the children that plan to attend. For further information, please call (888) 855.1551.

Compass Rose Academy
Sandestin Market Shopswww.compassroseacademy.org
Hours of Operation:
Full Day 9am to 2 p.m.
Half Day 9am to 12 p.m.
For more information call 850.855.8792 or email [email protected]
June 1-5: Summer Kick-Off
June 8-12: The Sky Above Us
June 15-19: The Ground We Walk On
June 22-26: Deep Blue Sea
June 29- July 3: Red, White, & Blue
July 6-10: A Trip to Mexico
July 13-17: Rain Forest Adventure
July 20-24: Across the Pond
July 27-31: Let’s go on a Safari
August 3-7: A Trip Through the Orient
August 10-14: Down Under
August 17-21: Last Days of SummerFriday nights with Jack and Annie
Reading, history, mystery, and adventure every Friday night from 6 – 10 p.m.

Destin area

Free Summer Movie Series
Rave Motion Pictures – Destin Commons
Phone: 650-4579
During the months of June and July Every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.
Sponsored by Destin Commons for kids of all ages, the movies are free. In addition, a kid’s movie meal including a drink, popcorn and candy is available at $1 off. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. June 9 & 10 – Kung Fu Panda June 16 & 17 – Madagascar 2 June 23 & 24 – Surf’s Up June 30 & July 1 – Tales of Despereaux July 7 & 8 – Horton Hears a Who July 14 & 15 – Space Chimps July 21 & 22 – Open Season July 28 & 29 – Shrek 3

Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Kamp Kellywamba
Website: www.mattiekellyartsfoundation.org
Address: 4332 Commons Drive West
Destin, FL 32541
Contact: Leah McGill Email: l[email protected]
Phone: (850) 650-2226
Dates: August 3-7, 2009 from 8:30-12:30 pm
Cost: $100 per student
Presented by Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation
Destin Middle School – Grades 1-8 (in the fall)
“And the Oscar Goes to” – Drama Instructor: Ann Hornstein. Students will learn about acting through improvisation, character development and script writing.
“All That Jazz” – Dance Instructor: Melody Gill. Students will learn basics in fun and funky jazz steps combining elements of various dance styles.
“Become a Chef” – Instructor: Vicky McCain. Students will learn how to make deliciously sweet and healthy snacks and deserts.
“Exploring the World of Art” – Visual Arts Instructor: Eva Markham. Explore a variety of art forms. Students will create clay sculpture, drawing, painting & more.
“Beauty Lou and the Country Beast” – The Missoula Children’s Theatre is the nation largest touring children’s theatre, has been touring extensively for 36 years now from Montana to Japan, and will arrive in Destin, FL with a set, lights, costumes, props and make-up.
An open audition will be held on Monday, June 8th from 10:00-12:00 am at the Destin United Methodist Church. The team will cast 50-60 local students to perform in the production of “Beauty Lou and the country Beast.”